I have been a customer of Verizon phone service for over twenty four years. In 2006 I opted for DSL service at the introductory rate of $14.99 / month for 798 kbps download speed. Service was fine and I used my computer to work at home with a combination of landline and computer access. In 2009 my business opted to use VOIP for communications and I upgraded my DSL to a faster speed of 3.0 mbps which (with my hardware and location) toppped out at about 2.9 mbps. The rate was $24.95 but after a year it began to creep up to the $34.99 it now costs. 2.9 mbps has been the normal speed for over two years up until this week. My speed suddenly dropped to 1.54 mbps and I assumed it to be a temporary glitch and reported the drop in speed. Verizon has not contacted me but today I looked at their website and found an offer of .5 to 1 mbps for $39.99 and I realized my speed has been throttled back to 1.5 mbps permanently with no notice or warning from Verizon. If your DSL has dropped to 1.5 mbps it isn't a glitch or a problem with your network or computer. Verizon controls your speeds at the network. You're now stuck with half the speed at the same cost. Contractually you agreed to this when you signed up. 1.5 to 3 mbps according to the system and hardware in your neighborhood. I know my system is capable of faster speeds. On occasion my modem exceeded 3 mbps. It may be a coincidence but my neighborhood was just added to the FIOS enabled areas. I am shopping for better service but it won't be Verizon FIOS.
